Liquid agent supply device
The liquid supply device addresses drying and aggregation issues by using a humidifying system to maintain stable humidity, ensuring consistent electrode slurry quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-25
Smart Images
Figure JP2025043293_25062026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Liquid Agent Supply Device Cross - reference to Related Applications
[0001] This disclosure claims the benefit of priority with respect to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024 - 221007, filed with the Japan Patent Office on December 17, 2024, and the entire contents of the said patent application are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This disclosure relates to a liquid agent supply device.
[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a "mixed - liquid supply device comprising: a water storage tank for temporarily storing water supplied from a water supply; a water supply passage for supplying water from the water supply to the water storage tank; a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply passage; a water delivery passage for delivering water from the water storage tank; a water delivery pump for transferring water through the water delivery passage at a constant pressure and a constant flow rate; a mixer for sucking a stock solution by the negative pressure generated by the water flow supplied from the water delivery passage by the water delivery pump and discharging a mixed liquid obtained by mixing the stock solution and the water flow; a liquid storage tank for temporarily storing the mixed liquid discharged from the mixer; a liquid delivery pump for delivering the mixed liquid from the liquid storage tank to a supply device such as a machine tool through a liquid delivery passage; a water level detector for detecting the water level of the water storage tank, including an upper limit water level, a lower limit water level, and an intermediate water level between the upper limit water level and the lower limit water level; a liquid level detector for detecting the liquid level of the liquid storage tank, including an upper limit liquid level, a lower limit liquid level, and an intermediate liquid level between the upper limit liquid level and the lower limit liquid level; a water replenishing means for opening the water supply valve to replenish water from the water supply to the water storage tank when the water level of the water storage tank drops to the intermediate water level by the water level detector; and a mixed - liquid replenishing means for starting the water delivery pump to supply water from the water storage tank to the mixer to replenish the mixed liquid to the liquid storage tank when the liquid level of the liquid storage tank drops to the intermediate liquid level by the liquid level detector."
[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022 - 068391
[0005] Thickeners and binders used in electrode slurries for lithium-ion secondary batteries and the like have the property of agglomerating or adhering to their surroundings when they dry. On the other hand, in the continuous mixing process during electrode slurry manufacturing, it is necessary to continuously supply the liquid containing the binder to the mixer. In this process, the liquid surface in the container holding the liquid is constantly in contact with air, causing the thickeners and binders to dry and agglomerate, which poses a risk of clogging in the piping and contamination of the electrode slurry with aggregates.
[0006] When active humidification is performed using a humidifier or the like, excessive humidification can cause condensation in the container or piping, leading to water mixing with the liquid. In the mixed liquid supply device described in Patent Document 1, water is supplied to humidify the mixture. In any case, the material composition of the electrode slurry changes, and there are concerns about the resulting variations in quality.
[0007] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a liquid supply device. The liquid supply device comprises a liquid storage container that stores a liquid and has a first air intake port above the liquid surface and a drain port below the liquid surface; a humidifying container that stores water and has a second air intake port and an exhaust port; and an air supply path that connects the exhaust port and the first air intake port. When the liquid is discharged from the drain port, the negative pressure inside the liquid storage container causes air above the water surface in the humidifying container to be sent from the exhaust port through the air supply path to the first air intake port.
[0008] The liquid supply device described herein has a simple, power-free configuration that prevents the addition of excess water to the liquid, thereby preventing the drying and aggregation of components contained in the liquid. Novel features of the present invention are described in the appended claims, but the present invention, both in terms of its structure and content, and in conjunction with other objects and features of the present invention, will be better understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
[0009] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a liquid supply device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0010] An example of a liquid supply device related to this disclosure is described below. However, this disclosure is not limited to the example described below. In the following description, specific numerical values and materials may be given as examples, but other numerical values and materials may be applied as long as the effects of this disclosure are achieved.
[0011] 1. Liquid supply device The liquid supply device according to this disclosure comprises a liquid storage container, a humidifying container, and an air supply path.
[0012] 1.1 Liquid Storage Container A liquid storage container stores a liquid and has a first air intake above the liquid level and a drain port below the liquid level. The liquid storage container may have a plurality of first air intakes. The liquid storage container may have a plurality of drain ports.
[0013] The following describes, as an example, the case where the liquid agent includes raw materials for the electrode slurry. The electrode slurry is prepared by mixing the electrode material with a liquid dispersion medium. The electrode material includes an electrode active material as an essential component, and may also include thickeners, binders, conductive materials, etc. as optional components. The liquid dispersion medium is a component that disperses the electrode material, and water, organic solvents, etc., are used.
[0014] The liquid stored in the liquid storage container may be a dispersion containing water as a liquid dispersion medium and a resin material dispersed in water. The liquid may, for example, contain a thickener or binder as the resin material. The liquid may further contain a conductive material, but is not limited to these. Examples of binders include fluororesins such as polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylidene fluoride, acrylic resins such as polyacrylic acid, rubber-like materials such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and acrylic rubber, or mixtures thereof. As a thickener, a water-soluble resin such as carboxymethyl cellulose may be used. Among these, carboxymethyl cellulose tends to dry and aggregate easily.
[0015] The liquid storage container discharges the stored liquid through a drain port and draws in air through a first air intake port. The first air intake port is positioned at the top, preferably at the very top, of the liquid storage container so as not to be hindered by fluctuations in the liquid level. It is preferable that the liquid storage container is configured so that air does not flow in from any other port.
[0016] Similarly, the drain port is positioned at the bottom, preferably at the very bottom, of the liquid storage container so as not to hinder the discharge of the liquid even when the liquid level rises or falls. The liquid discharged from the drain port is supplied to a continuous kneader or the like through a liquid supply path connected to the drain port.
[0017] The liquid storage container further has a liquid supply port. The liquid is supplied to the liquid storage container through this liquid supply port.
[0018] 1.2 Humidifying container The humidifying container has a second air intake and an exhaust port, and stores water. The humidifying container may have multiple second air intakes. The humidifying container may have multiple exhaust ports.
[0019] The second air intake and exhaust ports are positioned above the water level, preferably at the very top of the humidifying container, so as not to be affected by fluctuations in the water level. The humidifying container draws in outside air through the second air intake and discharges the internal air containing water vapor through the exhaust port.
[0020] The humidifying container further has a water inlet at the top. Water, preferably pure water, is supplied to the humidifying container through this inlet. The humidifying container may further have a drain at the bottom, preferably at the very bottom. The water inside is drained through this drain.
[0021] 1.3 Air supply path between the humidifying container and the liquid storage container The air supply path connects the exhaust port and the first intake port. In other words, the exhaust port of the humidifying container and the first intake port of the liquid storage container are connected by the air supply path.
[0022] If the liquid storage container is configured so that air does not enter from any point other than the first air intake, the negative pressure inside the liquid storage container when the liquid is discharged from the drain port will cause air above the water level in the humidifying container to pass through the exhaust port and air supply path to the first air intake.
[0023] With this configuration, air humidified with water vapor above the water level in the humidifying container is supplied to the liquid storage container. This allows for a simple, power-free system that prevents excess moisture from being added to the liquid, thus preventing drying and aggregation of the components contained in the liquid. As a result, for example, the composition of electrode slurry prepared using the liquid is stabilized, and a deterioration in the quality of the electrode slurry is prevented.
[0024] 1.4 Supplementary Configuration of Liquid Storage Containers and Humidifying Containers The humidifying container may further have an intake pipe, the first end of which is connected to a second air intake port, and the second end of which is positioned to extend below the water surface inside the humidifying container. In this case, the negative pressure inside the humidifying container when air above the water surface is sent from the exhaust port to the air supply path causes outside air to be sent from the second air intake port through the intake pipe into the humidifying container. As a result, the outside air is released into the water from the second end, promoting water evaporation. Consequently, the humidity level of the air accumulated at the top of the humidifying container is maintained at a high level and supplied to the liquid storage container.
[0025] The second end may have a porous material. In that case, the outside air passes through the porous material and is released into the water. A porous material is a substance in which many small pores or gaps are formed inside. As a result, the air released into the water from the second end of the intake tube in the humidifying container becomes fine bubbles, further promoting water evaporation. Consequently, the humidity level of the air accumulated at the top of the humidifying container is maintained at a higher level. As porous materials, pumice and charcoal exist in nature, but they can also be artificially manufactured by processing metals, resins, or glass. Furthermore, as long as the air released into the water from the second end of the intake tube becomes fine bubbles, the second end may have a material other than a porous material, or the shape of the second end itself may be changed.
[0026] It is preferable that the liquid storage container be configured to maintain a relative humidity of 80% or higher. This effectively prevents the drying and aggregation of the liquid. The relative humidity inside the liquid storage container may change depending on the amount of liquid supplied from the drain port through the supply path to a continuous kneader or the like. Therefore, for example, by designing the capacity of the air that can be held inside the liquid storage container considering the amount of liquid supplied, a liquid storage container that maintains a relative humidity of 80% or higher can be obtained. Note that the relative humidity does not need to be maintained at 80% or higher for the entire period during which the liquid is supplied to the outside from the drain port through the supply path; for example, it is sufficient if the relative humidity is maintained at 80% or higher for 80% or more of the supply period.
[0027] The liquid agent may be, for example, a dispersion containing water and a resin material dispersed in water, but the liquid dispersion medium is not limited to water, and the components dispersed or dissolved in the liquid dispersion medium are not limited to resin materials. The liquid agent is not limited to the liquid agent used for preparing electrode slurry, but may be any liquid agent containing components that need to be suppressed to prevent drying.
[0028] The resin material content in the dispersion may be, for example, 30% by mass or more. Since liquids containing resin material at such high concentrations tend to dry out easily, there is a high need to humidify the inside of the liquid storage container using the above configuration.
[0029] Furthermore, if the second end of the intake pipe is below the water level, there is a risk that water in the humidifier container may be ejected through the intake pipe when air flows from the first intake port of the liquid storage container to the exhaust port of the humidifier container. To counter this, it is preferable that the air supply path has a check valve that blocks the flow of air from the first intake port to the exhaust port. This also prevents foreign matter from entering the humidifier container.
[0030] The capacity of the humidifying container can be smaller than the capacity of the liquid storage container. This avoids significantly increasing the overall installation space of the liquid supply system.
[0031] 2. Specific Examples of Liquid Supply Devices Hereinafter, specific examples of liquid supply devices according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The components and processes of the liquid supply devices described below can be applied to the components and processes described above and can be modified based on the above description. Furthermore, the matters described below may be applied to the above embodiments. Among the components and processes of the liquid supply devices described below, components and processes that are not essential to the liquid supply device according to the present disclosure may be omitted. Note that the figures shown below are schematic and do not accurately reflect the actual shape and number of components.
[0032] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing an electrode sheet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the liquid supply device 100 of this embodiment includes a liquid storage container 10, a humidifying container 20, and an air supply path 30 that connects the humidifying container 20 and the liquid storage container 10.
[0034] The liquid storage container 10 stores liquid L and has a first air intake port 11 above the liquid surface of the liquid L and a drain port 12 below the liquid surface. The liquid storage container 10 discharges the stored liquid L from the drain port 12 and draws in air from the first air intake port 11. The first air intake port 11 is located at the very top of the liquid storage container, and the drain port 12 is located at the very bottom of the liquid storage container 10. The number of the first air intake port 11 and the drain port 12 is not limited to one. The drain port 12 is connected to a liquid supply path 70 having a pump 71, and the liquid L discharged from the drain port 12 is supplied to the continuous kneader 80 through this liquid supply path 70.
[0035] The liquid storage container 10 further includes a liquid supply port 13 into which the liquid L is supplied, a thermometer / hygrometer 14 for measuring the temperature and humidity of the internal air A10, a liquid level gauge 15 for measuring the height of the liquid level, and an air vent 16 for releasing a portion of the internal air A10 to reduce the pressure when necessary. The liquid storage container 10 is configured so that outside air does not flow in from any point other than the first air intake port 11.
[0036] The humidifying container 20 stores water W and has a second air intake port 21 and an exhaust port 22 above the water surface. The humidifying container 20 draws in outside air through the second air intake port 21 and discharges internal air A 20 through the exhaust port 22. The second air intake port 21 and exhaust port 22 are located at the very top of the humidifying container 20. The number of second air intake ports 21 and exhaust ports 22 is not limited to one.
[0037] The humidifying container 20 further includes a drain port 23 connected to a drainage path 60 having a valve 61, a UV light 24 that irradiates water W with ultraviolet light to inactivate bacteria and viruses, a water inlet 25 connected to a pure water supply path 50 having a valve 51, and a water level gauge 26 for measuring the height of the water level.
[0038] An intake pipe 40 is vertically positioned in the humidifier container 20, with its first end 41 connected to a second air intake port 21 and its second end 42 extending below the water surface. A filter 44 is positioned at the first end 41 to purify the air drawn into the humidifier container 20 from the second air intake port 21, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the humidifier container 20. The second end 42, which is submerged in water, is covered with a porous material 43. As a result, the air released into the water from the second end 42 of the intake pipe 40 within the humidifier container 20 becomes fine bubbles.
[0039] The air supply path 30 connects the exhaust port 22 of the humidifying container 20 and the first air intake port 11 of the liquid storage container 10. As a result, when the liquid L is discharged from the drain port 12 of the liquid storage container 10 and the liquid level drops, the negative pressure generated inside the liquid storage container 10 causes the air A20, which is humidified with water vapor above the water level in the humidifying container 20, to be sent from the exhaust port 22 through the air supply path 30 to the first air intake port 11. As a result, an amount of air A20 equivalent to the volume of liquid L discharged from the liquid storage container 10 is drawn from the humidifying container 20 into the liquid storage container 10. Consequently, the air A10 inside the liquid storage container 10 remains humid. Furthermore, if the second end 42 of the intake pipe 40 is below the water surface, there is a risk that the water W inside the humidifier container 20 may be ejected through the intake pipe 40 when air flows from the first intake port 11 of the liquid storage container 10 to the exhaust port 22 of the humidifier container 20. To address this, a check valve 31 is provided in the air supply path 30 to block the flow of air from the first intake port 11 to the exhaust port 22. This also prevents foreign matter from entering the humidifier container 20.
[0040] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence. Furthermore, various disclosures can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the embodiments described above. For example, some components may be removed from all the components shown in the embodiments. The drawings schematically show each component for ease of understanding, and the number of each component shown may differ from the actual number due to the convenience of drawing creation. In addition, each component shown in the embodiments described above is an example and is not particularly limiting, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the effects of this disclosure.
[0041] 3. The following technologies are disclosed by the descriptions of the embodiments described above. (Technology 1) A liquid supply device comprising: a liquid storage container for storing a liquid agent, having a first air intake port above the liquid surface of the liquid agent and a drain port below the liquid surface; a humidifying container for storing water, having a second air intake port and an exhaust port; and an air supply path connecting the exhaust port and the first air intake port, wherein when the liquid agent is discharged from the drain port, the negative pressure inside the liquid storage container causes air above the water surface in the humidifying container to be sent from the exhaust port through the air supply path to the first air intake port. (Technology 2) The liquid supply device according to Technology 1, further comprising an intake pipe whose first end is connected to the second intake port and whose second end is positioned to extend below the water surface in the humidifying container, wherein external air is sent from the second intake port through the intake pipe into the humidifying container due to the negative pressure inside the humidifying container when air above the water surface is sent from the exhaust port to the air supply path. (Technology 3) The liquid supply device according to Technology 2, wherein the second end has a porous body, and the external air is released into the water by passing through the porous body. (Technology 4) The liquid supply device according to any one of Technology 1 to 3, wherein the liquid storage container is configured to maintain a relative humidity of 80% or higher. (Technology 5) The liquid supply device according to any one of Technology 1 to 4, wherein the liquid is a dispersion containing water and a resin material dispersed in the water. (Technical 6) The liquid supply device according to Technical 5, wherein the content of the resin material in the dispersion is 30% by mass or more. (Technical 7) The liquid supply device according to any one of Technical 1 to 6, wherein the air supply path has a check valve that prevents the flow of air from the first intake port to the exhaust port. (Technical 8) The liquid supply device according to any one of Technical 1 to 7, wherein the liquid storage container is configured so that air does not flow in from anywhere other than the first intake port. (Technical 9) The liquid supply device according to any one of Technical 1 to 8, wherein the capacity of the humidifying container is smaller than the capacity of the liquid storage container.
[0042] This disclosure is applicable to liquid dispensing devices.
[0043] Although the present invention has been described in relation to preferred embodiments at present, such disclosure should not be interpreted restrictively. Various modifications and alterations will undoubtedly become apparent to those skilled in the art in the field to which the invention pertains by reading the above disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims should be interpreted as encompassing all modifications and alterations without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
[0044] 10 Liquid storage container 11 First air intake 12 Drain port 13 Liquid supply port 14 Temperature and humidity gauge 15 Liquid level gauge 16 Air vent 20 Humidifying container 21 Second air intake 22 Exhaust port 23 Drain port 24 UV light 25 Water supply port 26 Water level gauge 30 Air supply path 31 Check valve 40 Air intake pipe 41 First end 42 Second end 43 Porous material 44 Filter 50 Pure water supply path 60 Drain path 70 Liquid supply path 71 Pump 80 Continuous kneader 100 Liquid supply device
Claims
1. A liquid supply device comprising: a liquid storage container for storing a liquid agent, having a first air intake port above the liquid surface of the liquid agent and a drain port below the liquid surface; a humidifying container for storing water, having a second air intake port and an exhaust port; and an air supply path connecting the exhaust port and the first air intake port, wherein when the liquid agent is discharged from the drain port, the negative pressure inside the liquid storage container causes air above the water surface in the humidifying container to be sent from the exhaust port through the air supply path to the first air intake port.
2. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, further comprising an intake pipe whose first end is connected to the second intake port and whose second end is positioned to extend below the water surface in the humidifying container, wherein external air is sent from the second intake port through the intake pipe into the humidifying container due to the negative pressure inside the humidifying container when air above the water surface is sent from the exhaust port to the air supply path.
3. The liquid supply device according to claim 2, wherein the second end has a porous body, and the external air is discharged into the water through the porous body.
4. The liquid supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid storage container is configured to maintain a relative humidity of 80% or higher.
5. The liquid agent supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid agent is a dispersion containing water and a resin material dispersed in the water.
6. The liquid supply device according to claim 5, wherein the content of the resin material in the dispersion is 30% by mass or more.
7. The liquid supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air supply path has a check valve that prevents the flow of air from the first intake port to the exhaust port.
8. The liquid supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid storage container is configured so that air does not flow in from any point other than the first air intake port.
9. The liquid supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the capacity of the humidifying container is smaller than the capacity of the liquid storage container.